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Toronto City Hall
Canadian city hall, opened 1965 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Toronto City Hall, or New City Hall, is the seat of the municipal government of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Designed by Viljo Revell and engineered by Hannskarl Bandel, this example of Neo-Expressionist Modern architecture opened in 1965. The building is located adjacent to Nathan Phillips Square, a public square at the northwest intersection of Bay Street and Queen Street, that was designed and officially opened alongside Toronto City Hall.
Toronto City Hall replaced the neighbouring Old City Hall, which had been occupied by the municipal government since 1899.[6] The building also served as the seat for the Metropolitan Toronto regional government from 1965 to 1992. Plans for a civic square dated to the 1900s, and the need for a new city hall was pressing by the 1950s, due to the old city hall no longer being adequate for the size of the government, including the new Metro government.
The building and square's design was the result of an international design competition in 1958. The design competition sparked a national discussion on the meaning of monumental public buildings, the place of competitions in design and the role of urban public space.[7] It was the first architectural competition in Ontario to allow international architects, requiring the local architects' association to change its rules and allow open competition at the instigation of then Toronto Mayor Nathan Phillips, after whom the square is named.
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History
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The first proposal to build a civic square at Queen Street West and Bay Street was made before World War I in 1905,[8] followed by the Lyle plan of 1911.[9] It included a civic square and monumental government buildings inspired by the "City Beautiful" movement. While the proposal ultimately failed, one part was built: the 1917 Classical-style Land Registry Office.[9][10] Another proposal in 1927 failed due to the onset of the Great Depression, there was no longer any civic will to spend the money.[11]
By the end of World War II, the old City Hall was full, and municipal employees were being housed elsewhere.[11] Interest in a new city hall and square was renewed. In 1943, a report to city council had recommended a new city hall and square in the block bounded by Queen Street West, Bay Street, Chestnut Street, and a line 460 ft (140 m) north of Albert Street. A referendum to spend CA$2,000,000 (equivalent to $30,504,854 in 2023) on land acquisition was approved by the electorate in a referendum on New Year's Day in 1947.[10][12] Acquisitions of lands in the proposed block proceeded, but no other activity proceeded. Most buildings in the block were small two-storey buildings housing Toronto's first Chinatown; on Bay(then Teraulay) was the large 1914 Shea's Hippodrome, a huge theatre for vaudeville and cinema, demolished in 1957.[13][14]
In October 1952, a Civic Advisory Committee panel of citizens appointed by city council proposed a new building facing a civic square. The design proposed an office block with council chamber linking the existing Land Registry Office with a new police headquarters, all in the same style as the Registry Office, and to be designed by local firm Marani and Morris.[10] This proposal was criticized by the University of Toronto Architecture Department staff and students and local architects, and was scrapped.[10]
In 1954, City Council approved a partnership of three of Toronto's largest architectural firms: Marani and Morris, Mathers and Haldenby, and Shore and Moffat, to create a design.[10] Presented in November 1955, their design proposed a conservative, symmetrical limestone-clad building in the Modernist style facing a landscaped square. It retained the Land Registry Office on the western part of the site and also included a landscaped public space in front of it. The podium of the new city hall was to house the council chambers, and was given columns to complement the eight columns of the Registry Building, with which it was aligned across the new public space in front of it. The tower was virtually identical to the Imperial Oil Building which Mathers and Haldenby were constructing on St. Clair Avenue West.[15]
The scheme was panned by leading architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright (who called it a "sterilization" and "a cliché already dated") and Walter Gropius (who deemed it a "very poor pseudo-modern design unworthy of the city of Toronto"),[16] and all classes of the University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture co-authored a letter condemning the proposal and calling for an international competition. The whole CA$18 million proposal was scrapped when voters rejected it in a 1955 municipal election.[10]
Mayor Nathan Phillips proposed an international design competition for the project and put approval for the project to a referendum. In the 1955 municipal election, voters approved in principle a plan to build a new city hall and square at a cost of $18 million, without a specific design.[10]
Design competition
Led by Mayor Nathan Phillips, the Toronto City Council decided in 1956 to hold an international competition to choose the new design under terms created by the International Union of Architects.[17] This caused some controversy as some felt the work should be done by a Canadian. The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) was persuaded successfully to allow an international competition as long as international architects paired with a local architect.[18] Planning Commissioner Matthew Lawson and advisor Eric Arthur, a University of Toronto architecture professor, selected a five-person panel of judges from international architecture experts.[19] The panel included American Eero Saarinen, Briton planner William Holford, British-Canadian Gordon Stephenson, Italian architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers and Canadian architect Charles E. "Ned" Pratt.[20] One of the conditions was a $5 entry fee, however, Arthur did not specify Canadian funds. Arthur would receive pesos, pesetas, kroner, marks and many currencies, along with books worth more than $5, all of which were returned to failed entries. One entrant offered a free vacation in Hungary.[21]
The response from architects was enthusiastic. By October 1957, 731 entries were received.[18] This was pared down to 540 satisfactory entries by the deadline of April 18, 1958, from 42 countries, led by 132 from the United States, 75 from Canada and Great Britain with 65.[22] Arthur arranged to rent the CNE's Horticultural Building for two weeks to house all models received. A context model of the surrounding neighbourhood was created and each model was placed in turn in the center of it to judge its overall fit.[23] The jury "looked primarily for designs that have architectural quality combined with imagination", and "original solutions to this difficult problem." Many of the models followed the style of prominent architects like Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier as well as Neo-Classical designs fitting the 1910s era and Soviet-style palaces.[24] One unique design included a dance floor, bar and orchestra on the ground floor of the public space.[24] The jury was able to reduce the count of possible designs to 200 rather quickly. The initial discards included Viljo Revell's design. Saarinen arrived a day and half late and demanded to see the discards. He chose Revell's design and convinced the other judges to reconsider it.[25][26] Revell's design was included among the eight finalists, the only Finnish entry among one Canadian, one Danish and five American designs.[27] Two alternates, an American and a German design were also chosen, in the event that any of the eight finalists would not continue, although all eight did choose to continue.[25]
The finalists included:[28]
- John Andrews,
- Gunnlogson and Nielsen
- William Hayward,
- David Horne,
- Frank Mikutowski,
- I.M. Pei,
- Perkins and Will, and
- Viljo Revell
They were each paid CA$7,500 (equivalent to $79,611 in 2023) to expand upon or revise their submissions and four months to complete a final design.[25] The finalists were instructed about the total square footage needed, that an reasonably economic structure should be proposed, and to consider the severity of Toronto's climate. The council chamber and public space design was left to the finalists.[29]
The finished designs of the finalists arrived in September 1958 and were assembled in the Old City Hall. The jurors worked into the early morning of September 26, in time for Mayor Phillips announcement at 8am. The jury decided on Revell's design. The other finalists were judged lower on the basis of one or another characteristic of their designs: entrances, an impractical set of two squares, a lack of expression of the council chamber to the outside, and putting the library in a separate building. Pratt, Rogers and Saarinen voted for Revell's design with Holford and Stephenson dissenting. Holford and Stephenson liked the originality of Revell's design, but were skeptical that the design could be built within the $18 million budget set by the city.[30]
The win was announced by Mayor Phillips, who actually disliked the winning design, and made snide remarks about it. According to Lawson, Phillips was concerned that voters would not take to the exotic proposal.[31] The winning model, the finalists and a selection of other designs were displayed in a public exhibition at Eaton's College Street store. Frank Lloyd Wright dismissed Revell's design as a "head marker for a grave" and "the spot where Toronto fell." Some critics called it "two sewer pipes standing on end" and a politician said it looked like a "Mexican Hotel." Arthur stated that Revell had won because he had paid careful attention to the emphasis placed in the conditions of a building that expressed the various functions of City Hall.[32] The conditions pointed to a 'sculptural' form and Revell's was the "most representative."[21] Revell's mentor Alvar Aalto, wired Revell: "Seldom does a colleague feel so happy over another's victory."[21] The announcement was broadcast on CBC television with host Jacqueline Tyrwhitt interviewing Revell, Arthur and the jury members, including dissenting remarks by Holford and Stephenson.[33]
Revell received a CA$25,000 (equivalent to $258,388 in 2023) prize plus an estimated CA$1 million in fees to supervise construction. As part of the OAA conditions, he partnered with John B. Parkin Associates as the local architect.[34] Revell and his family moved to Toronto, and resided in Don Mills, near the Parkin offices. His design collaborators, whom Revell considered as co-architects, Heikki Castren, Bengt Lundsten, and Seppo Valjus also came to Toronto in 1959 for extended stays.[35] Revell faced tax problems leading him to conclude his tax exposure to Canada and Finland exceeded his actual revenue. For this reason, Revell moved to Boston in 1962 and taught at MIT, while commuting to Toronto just three days per week.[36] Revell suffered a stroke in the autumn of 1963 while in Mexico. After this, Revell returned to Helsinki. After October 1963, Revell only visited Toronto once to view the project. Only a week after his visit in October 1964. Revell died of a heart attack at the age of 54.[37]
Construction
Although the design was basically complete, the boundaries for the project were set in October 1959 to be Bay Street, Queen Street and Hagerman Avenue. A proposal to connect to York Street was dropped.[38] This area was formerly the location of Toronto's first Chinatown, located along the north side of Queen and both sides of Elizabeth Street to Dundas Street West.[39] Much of it was expropriated and bulldozed already and families and businesses moved west to Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue.[40] The Land Registry Office was demolished in 1964.[9]
Before proceeding with construction, there was concern that the project would exceed the CA$18 million already approved. This led to a last-minute effort by Metro Chairman Fred Gardiner to try to derail the project and instead build a simpler building in the style of the Registry Office, and keep the Registry Office. After a review and minor redesign of the project, a budget of CA$24 million was settled upon.[41] The Toronto Parking Authority agreed to pay for the complete underground parking garage. This increase meant the City had to get the Ontario Municipal Board's approval, which came in October 1961, allowing the City to issue CA$20.4 million in new debt.[42]
Construction firm Anglin Norcross Ontario bid CA$23.58 million to win the contract. Coming in under $24 million led City Council to approve the project and add a floor to each tower. At the same time, Council voted unanimously to name the square after Mayor Phillips. The official sod-turning to start construction was done on November 7, 1961.[42] Phillips spoke at the ceremony:
"some historians might be exact enough to set down the fact that although it took almost fifteen years to get to the staring line, none of us arrived out of breath. All of the people ... have shared this dream."[42]
In Revell's design, the outside walls of the towers were clad in precast concrete panels with 3/4-inch vertical strips of Botticino marble, intended to help the walls sparkle when floodlit. The panels cost CA$2.5 million in total, and the contract went to Toronto Cast Stone Co., which had to build a new machine to construct them.[43] The panels were also used as the formwork for the 18 inches (46 cm)-thick reinforced concrete structural walls of the towers.[43]
The time capsule for City Hall was placed in a large ceremony on November 7, 1962.[44] Mayor Phillips, on his 70th birthday, dropped the 2 feet (61 cm)-long steel capsule into a foundation column. Bishop Francis Marroco, Reverend James R. Mutchmor and Rabbi Stuart E. Rosenberg all said prayers, a Salvation Army band provided music, and fireworks ended the half-hour ceremony.[45] It contains municipal handbooks, coins dating to the incorporation of Toronto, postage stamps, the City's old and new coat of arms, microfilms of the city's three newspapers, a map of the city and photographs of the City reception for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip held in 1959.[45]
The project experienced several delays during construction. Anglin Norcross received its drawings late from the architects. This delay alone meant the City could not receive Queen Elizabeth at the new City Hall in the summer of 1964.[43] City approved the addition of a basement cafeteria, after indecision of locating it at the top of the east tower.[43] By July 1962, Revell and Parkin had not yet set up a site office, leaving the general contractor with a long period without any progress. By October 1962, the project was eight weeks behind schedule, with both towers not having risen above grade.[46] In March 1963, City Council voted to stop payments to the contractor and prohibit further design changes; structural work was five months behind schedule, and mechanical work even longer.[47] And the City kept open the option of a rooftop restaurant well into 1963.[48] The plan to open the City Hall for occupancy in the summer of 1964. was dropped.[48]
The demolition of the Land Registry Office was completed in stages. A section was demolished in 1962, leaving the rest in use, while excavation was done for the underground parking garage. The courts at Osgoode Hall objected to the construction noise during trials, and the York County Sheriff warned that a summons for contempt of court would be issued. The work was timed around trial times. The building was finally vacated in May 1964, and St Clair House Wrecking was hired by Anglin Norcross to demolish it. It did not start immediately and was not completely finished until the end of December.[49]
There were disputes about the concrete cladding's quality and colours, electric heating and the podium roof. These were resolved by early 1964, and construction picked up its pace.[50] Revell made his final visit to the project in autumn 1964, and was quoted as "generally pleased." He had a fatal heart attack only days after his visit.[51] That fall, the underground parking garage was completed, considered the world's largest underground parking garage at the time, and later that fall the southern part of the square was finished, allowing ice skating on the reflecting pool for the first time.[52]
One final dispute was made over the interior furnishings. Revell had been promised the design and selection of furnishings. Instead, the City created a "Furnishing Design Committee" which would supervise a design competition, supervised by Eric Arthur. Revell disputed the plan, but passed away, making the point moot. The firm Knoll International was chosen by the committee, despite being nearly CA$200,000 over the projected CA$850,000 budget.[53] This led to efforts by City officials, politicians and interested citizens to influence the final outcome. In the end, Knoll's proposal prevailed by a narrow margin at City Council.[54]
Outside of the boundaries of the City Hall and square project, the City extended its reach south and west to develop new buildings to complement the new civic symbol. The south side of Queen Street opposite City Hall was considered a 'commercial slum' and in August 1964, Toronto City Council voted to expropriate the south side for development appropriate to the new civic square.[55] The businesses on that side of the street included two burlesque theatres ( Broadway Theatre and Casino Theatre), pawn shops and a cinema.[56] Most of the block was bought at a budget of $6.5 million and demolished in July 1965 and its redevelopment would be chosen from proposals submitted by developers who would then buy the land from the city.[57] The south side was vacant at the time of the City Hall opening but was eventually occupied by a new hotel. The new Sheraton Centre hotel's design was a collaboration between the City Hall's architects, Parkin and Associates and Seppo Valjus, and Searle, Wlibee, and Rowland. Its concrete exterior was designed to match the City Hall in colour and texture.[58] An extension to the square's elevated walkways connects to the hotel.[58]
To the west of the new City Hall, the University Avenue Armouries at University Avenue just north of Osgoode Hall was bought from the Government of Canada for CA$2 million and demolished to make way for a new provincial court building and pedestrian mall, as part of the new civic square project.[59]
Opening and post-completion changes
The building was officially opened to the public on the afternoon of Monday, September 13, 1965, by Georges Vanier, the Governor general of Canada.[60] The opening ceremony was attended by 14,000 dignitaries, including Lester B. Pearson, the prime minister of Canada, John Robarts, the premier of Ontario, Maire Revell, Viljo's spouse and former mayor Phillips.[61] This was part of six days of festivities. The first evening was a military pageant. The second night featured the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company and National Ballet of Canada. Wednesday was square dancing, Thursday was a Board of Education presentation, Friday was community folk arts and Saturday was "Toronto A-Go-Go" dancing. Each night's entertainment was concluded with fireworks from the vacant land on the south side of Queen.[62]
The parking garage and podium roof both exhibited water leakage problems from the start. The parking garage leakage was repaired, but the podium roof's problems persisted. Revell had envisioned a landscaped area with a pool. The City held back CA$500,000 to Anglin Norcross due to repeated water leakage. By 1968, the planned landscaping was abandoned, leaving a large barren area as a roofing repair.[63] In 1966, oyster mushrooms were found to be growing beneath the ceiling of the ground floor, prompting Property Commissioner Bremner to quip "we are at least growing edible mushrooms."[64]
The project had displaced much of Toronto's 'Old Chinatown' already and Toronto's Development Commissioner proposed the demolition of the rest of Old Chinatown along the remainder of Elizabeth Street to Dundas Street for a civic square. A 'Save Chinatown Committee' was formed to fight the proposal and Toronto City Council endorsed keeping Old Chinatown as is.[65] Further, two related proposals to widen Dundas to six lanes were also met with protests and rejected.[66]
City Hall was designated as a property of historical and architectural significance under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1991 by Toronto City Council.[67] In 1992, the non-profit Hester How Daycare Centre was opened in the building.[68] It is named after Toronto teacher Hester How, who helped turn around delinquent boys in the second half of the 19th Century.[69] It is used by City of Toronto employees and the general public.
From 1997 to 1998, CA$7 million was spent to renovate council offices, the council chamber, new public washrooms and provide a covered walkway between the two towers. These were designed by Toronto architect Bruce Kuwabara. The new walkway in the form of a suspension bridge was approved by the Toronto Society of Architects and was positioned to not be visible from the square.[70] Also in 1998, the Toronto City Hall design was honoured with an Ontario Association of Architects 25-Year Award.[71]
A substantial series of renovations was made in the 2000s. On the executive floor, the councillor reception areas and their furnishings were updated. However, the main work was on the exterior. The podium roof had fallen into disrepair and was replaced by a green roof in 2009. It was designed by PLANT Architects, Shore Tilbe Irwin & Partners, furniture designer Adrian Blackwell and Chicago-based landscape architect Peter Schaudt.[72] It features three distinct sections: a mosaic of sedum plants inspired by the Paul Klee painting Polyphony, a courtyard and cafe.[72] It was formally opened to over 10,000 visitors on Doors Open Toronto weekend in May 2010. The roof is the largest publicly accessible green roof in the city.[72][73]
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Design and features
Summarize
Perspective
The Neo-Expressionist Modern design resembles no other building in Toronto. The design is two curved, asymmetric towers surrounding a saucer-shaped council chamber amphitheatre atop a two-storey podium.[74] It is considered one of Toronto's best buildings and a great leap forward for Toronto.[74]
Exterior
The podium is rectangular, its two towers are curved in cross-section and rise to differing heights. The east tower is 27 storeys (99.5 metres (326 ft)) tall and the west tower is 20 storeys (79.4 metres (260 ft)).[75][76] Between the towers is the saucer-like council chamber, and the overall arrangement is somewhat like two hands cradling the chamber. The outer surfaces of the curve are covered with concrete bearing a rib pattern that provides strength and prevents collapse of the fabric as a result of the expansion of the exterior surfaces, and the tearing apart of the fabric as a result of differences in air pressure on the two sides of each wing-like tower during the high winds characteristic of the Great Lakes region. The north, west, and east elevations are more abstract and sculptural in contrast with the extensive glazing of south elevation facing the square; each presents a view of concave panels of concrete textured with split-faced strips of marble,[77] designed to be more reflective when lit at night.
From the air, the building is seen as a giant unblinking eye, thus the building's original nickname of "The Eye of Government". When finished, the building generated widespread controversy among many who felt that it was "too futuristic" for the city.[78] In Arthur's 1964 book, Toronto, No Mean City, he praised the new City Hall, writing: "Taller buildings will be built before the end of the century here and elsewhere in North America, but there will be no comparable or no more renowned city hall."[79]
Building interior
Lobby in the complex's east tower
Councillor's office reception on the second level of the building.
Observation deck on 27/F opened at Doors Open Toronto event
The lobby situated below the City Council chambers
Interior
The building also includes observation decks, although these closed in 1979.[80] Access to the observation deck, and other areas in the building complex, has been provided during the annual 'Doors Open Toronto' event.[81]
The building also includes a branch of the Toronto Public Library, although it has been reduced in size since its opening.[82]
Upon entering the building through the front doors, the lobby is a large and unique rotunda. Central to the rotunda is the massive circular support column for the Council chambers, surrounded on three sides by the "Hall of Memory". A few steps down, there is a glass bookcase that holds two books of remembrance on occasion, engraved with the names of servicemen and women from Toronto who died during the two world wars. White plaques on the wall around the hall display the insignia of military units headquartered in Toronto since 1793.[44] Inscribed on a support column in the lobby is architect Revell's name, and on one wall there is the mural Metropolis, made entirely of nails.[44]
The second floor is the 'executive' floor of City Hall. It is a mezzanine overlooking the first floor rotunda. The office of the mayor and city councillors are located here. The City's coat of arms and the Mayor's chain of office are displayed, as well as the mosaic Views to the City in a reception area.[44]
Council chambers
The city council chambers is a semi-circular room located on the second floor supported by a single massive column below. On the main level of the chambers are the seats for the 25 members of Toronto City Council, arranged in a semi-circle.[44] To absorb sound, the chamber is carpeted and the ceiling is sound-dampened using carpet fibres. The ceiling weighs 2,000 tonnes (2,000 long tons; 2,200 short tons) of poured concrete. During construction, it took 40 days to dry.[44] The chamber is supported by a single column of concrete below, visible from the first floor of the podium.[44]
In front of the councillors is the podium and seat for the Speaker of Toronto City Council (or Deputy Speaker when Speaker is not present). Flanking the Speaker are two long tables for Commissioners (i.e., department heads); City Manager, Deputy City Manager, City Solicitor and Chief Financial Officer are seated to the right and City Staff on the left. In front of the Speaker is the horseshoe-shaped desk for the City Clerk and Clerk staff. The mayor, is seated amongst councillors in the first row to the Speaker's right. A removable podium is located to the right of the Speaker for guest speakers.[83]
The room is covered by a shallow dome resting on 23 pairs of v-shaped supports that rise from the base.[83] The space behind the supports is filled with glass. The public seating gallery accommodates 250 in tiered rows.[44]
Public square
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The design for the public space in front of the new city hall, Nathan Phillips Square, was part of the original design competition. The square's reflecting pool and concrete arches, fountain, and overhead walkways were thus also part of Revell's submission. It has since seen the addition of several monuments, sculptures, and other works of public art, including the Toronto Sign.[84]
The public square hosts numerous cultural festivals and events as well as festivals and events organized by the City of Toronto. New Year's celebrations are held there every year which include fireworks and musical performances. The annual Cavalcade of Lights Festival has been held since 1967. It opens with the lighting of a Christmas tree and live performances; nightly ice skating is held during the holiday season.[85]
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In popular culture
Even as early as 1969, the building appeared as a futuristic alien building in a Star Trek comic; it was later seen in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Contagion" as one of the possible destinations of an alien portal.[86] The 2010 film Red featured Toronto City Hall and various other city locations.[87]
See also
References
External links
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